Holder for book matches



C. A. SCHALLIS HOLDER Foa BooK MATCHES Jan. 19, A1943.

Filed March 25, 1940 INVENTOR.

CHARLES A. SC ALLIS Patented Jan. 19, 1943 l UNITED STATES ATET orifice HOLDER MATCHES Application March 25, 1940, serial No. 325,722

3 Claims.

This invention relates toholders for cardboard safety matches of the so-called book type. Such matches, as is well known, are enclosed in a foldable cardboard cover which carries a striking surface for the matches. The striking surface is ordinarily located substantially in the plane of the heads, and upon the side of the pack which is opened when access to the matches is desired. It is therefore unsafe to strike matches of this character with the cover open, due to the danger that a spark may come in contact with the heads and ignite the entire pack. Despite the fact, therefore, that these matches are more economical than the wooden types, it has not heretofore been considered safe or feasible to provide open holders, constructed to support such book matches, together with their striker sections, in a manner permitting the matches to be broken at will from the exposed pack and struck upon the striking surface. Covered holders have been proposed, but the covers are of course cumbersome and objectionable, and the numerous diihculties noted have been instru-A mental in the continued use of box matches under many circumstances in which the book type would be denitely superior, as well as cheaper. In public places in which ash trays andmatches must be provided, for example, the provision of box matches entails considerable expense, and the nature of the holders has been such that the box matches are easily removed 'and carried away. It is quite common, for the latter reason, to provide book matches which are merely distributed loosely upon the tables or stands upon which the ash trays are placed. This practise also entails its diiculties, however, not only because of the fact that experience indicates that each smoker is apt to carry away at least one pack of matches, but because constant servicing is required to keep the tables or trays supplied with matches. The present invention is accordingly directed, in addition to other objects presently to be noted, to the provision of a match book holder from which the matches cannot conveniently be removed, particularly when matches remain in the pack, without upsetting the ash tray to which the holder is attached; and which `further discourages removal of the matches by reason of the fact that the cover is so folded, in installing the match book in the holder, as to render its subsequent use in pocket or handbag inconvenient.

, An object related to that last stated is to pro- :vldepsuch a holder frommwhich empty match* books may be removed, and in which fresh books may be inserted, very quickly and easily.

The present invention is also directed to the provision of an improved holder for book matches, so designed and constructed as to support the entire pack, with both the matches and the striking surface in exposed, readily accessible position, while nevertheless effectively guarding `the matches against accidental ignition.

Another object is to provide such a support which permits the matches to be veryV easily broken from the pack and struck upon the striking surface.

Still another object is to provide such a match book support adapted to hold the striking surface in an elevated, laterally projecting position, at an angle to the heads and stems of the matches, to shield the latter, and to render it impossible to strike the matches toward the heads, while at the same time increasing the ease and convenience of striking.

A further object is to provide such a support which is of very simple and inexpensive character, which incorporates no working parts Whatever, which is virtually indestructible, and which -supports the matches and the striking surface in a firm and satisfactory manner.

Another object is to provide a combined match book and ash tray, adapted to support the matches in exposed and readily accessible position as previously indicated, yet which eiectively guards the matches against accidental ignition by lighted cigars or cigarettes placed upon, or glowing tobacco or coals in the ash tray.

A stiil further object is to provide an improved match book holder of the indicated character which is applicable as anV accessory to ash trays of those varieties already in. use which are provided with means for supporting safety matches of the box type.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an ash tray equipped with match holding means constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a packet of matches installed therein.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantiallycentrally through the match holder, Vfragmentarily showing an ash tray by which the holder is carriedl and indicating an initial step in the insertion of a packet of matches.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the packet fully installed in the holder.

Figure 4 is a perspective View, similar to Figure l, showing a somewhat modified construction, adapted to be sold as an accessory and to be attached to match holders originally designed to support box matches.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View thereof corresponding to Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the supporting portion taken as indicated by the line and arrows I-G of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective View of a holder of somewhat modified construction, and

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view showing the same installed upon the instrument panel of a motor car, and illustrating the manner in which the matches are supported thereby.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figures 1-3, it will be seen that in these views my improved match holding device is illustrated as carried by and formed integrally with an ash tray I. While this forms an advantageous combination, it will be recognized that the holder might equally well be used by itself, entirely apart from an ash tray.

The holder is carried by a support section I2, shown as integral with and upstanding from the rim of the ash tray. The outer face of support I2 is a substantially perpendicular wall I3, while its top face is formed as a substantially horizontal shelf I4, an opening I5 extends through the shelf in alignment with the outer wall I3, the opening being of such size and shape as to permit the thinner end of a match book 20, including the striking surface 22, to be passed therethrough from below.

As shown in the drawing, the matches 2I of such match books, are integrally carried at their lower ends by the cardboard of which they are formed, and are retained in the cover portion by means of a staple 21. The staple is positioned near the extreme end of the assembly, to permit the cover section to be tucked beneath the striking section 22 when the book is closed.

The shelf portion I4 projects beyond the slot I5 to support the striker section when the matches are in place in the holder. After inserting the matches in the manner shown in Figure 2, the striker section is bent outwardly to overlie the shelf. The book is then pulled down to the position shown in Figure 3, and the cover is folded and tucked into the slot 3D, in the manner also shown in that view. Slot extends upwardly from the bottom of the holder, behind the vertical wall I3, and is preferably tapered toward its upper end, to increase the frictional engagement with the cover.

When the match book is installed in the manner indicated, it is firmly retained, permitting the matches to be torn from the book Without danger of dislodging the entire pack, While the striking surface is supported in a position which not only makes for convenience in striking, but guards the heads against accidental ignition by flying sparks, since it is impossible to strike the match toward the heads, and the shelf protects the heads completely against such flying sparks. It will also be noted that the entire support protects the matches from the interior of the ash tray, as well as from lighted cigars and cigarettes which may be placed upon the rim of the tray.

Such protection is insured not only by the positlonlng the matches outside of the support, upon the side farther from the tray, but also by the fact that the support is wider than the match book.

In the somewhat modified construction shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the ash tray I0 ls shown as of a. variety now commonly used, provided with a holder 35, which is designed to support a box of Wood safety matches.

In order to provide for the support of cardboard book matches, an accessory holder IZA formed of sheet metal and having an integral folded clip section 31 at its lower end adapted to encircle and be frictionally held upon the holder 35 is provided. A laterally bent shelf I4A is provided at the upper end of the assembly, adapted to support the striker section of the match book, which projects in similar fashion through an opening I5A in the shelf. The free end of the cover portion of the match book is folded inside the clip section, in such manner that it is held between such section and the box holder 35 when the device is installed upon the box holder.

The support is thus firmly held in a manner analogous to the arrangement of the first embodiment, to position the matches for convenient use in like fashion While protecting them against accidental ignition in the manner described.

As shown in Figures '7 and 8, the invention is readily applicable to match book holders adapted to be used in horizontal or inclined position. The body of the sheet metal support I2B shown in these views is adapted to be clamped or otherwise fastened to the instrument panel of a motor car, although it may of course be attached to any suitable support, and used in inclined, vertical or any convenient position. The down turned flange I4B of the holder is slotted at I5B to permit insertion of the matches in the manner previously described. The holder is so fasened to the instrument panel that the matches are held in horizontal position upon the bottom or underside, and may be conveniently accessible and adapted to be torn off simply by reaching under the instrument panel. The striker section of the match book projects downwardly over the shelf I4B.

A C-clamp 42 is illustrated as providing means of attachment to the instrument panel, although this is of course a matter of choice. A portion of the flat sheet metal body of the device in alignment with the slot I5B is pressed downwardly, as indicated at 30B, to provide a gap between the device and the bottom flange of the instrument panel, into which gap the flap or cover section 25B may be tucked, as illustrated in Figure 8. The matches, when supported in the manner indicated, are readily accessible by reaching beneath the instrument panel, yet are protected and invisible. They may readily be torn from the book and struck upon the striking surface with one hand, thus enabling the driver of a motor vehicle to use such matches conveniently Without removing both hands from the steering wheel. Regardless of the place or manner of installation of the holder, however, it will be appreciated that the matches are more accessible and more conveniently usable when installed in one of improved holders.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiments of my invention herein disclosed are well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to vari-ation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

l. A holder adapted to support a matchbook of the variety having a cover with a striking surface located substantially at one end thereof upon a flap which normally projects in the general direction of the heads of the matches contained therein, said holder comprising a support, a shelf projecting laterally from the support and having a slot extending therethrough of such size as to receive the striker-carrying end of the matchbook, and to engage the same in the area which normally underlies the striking surface, said support having a wall extending beyond the shelf upon one side of the slot, whereby said ap may be bent to overlie said shelf at an angle to the matches, the area of the shelf being not materially less than the area of the striking surface, and the matches may project beyond the shelf adjacent said wall, and whereby the cover of said matchbook may extend between the matches and said wall, the shelf being thin enough to allow a substantial proportion of the length of the matches to project therebeyond, and means for securing the cover to prevent unwanted displacement of the matchbook, comprising a slot located upon the opposite side of said wall from said match book to permit said cover to be passed around the farther edge of said wall and back into said last-mentioned slot.

2. A holder adapted to support a matchbook of the variety having a cover with a striking surface located substantially at one end thereof upon a flap which normally projects in the general direction of the heads of the matches contained therein, said holder comprising a support, a shelf projecting laterally from the support and having a slot extending therethrough of such size as to receive the striker-carrying end of the match book, and to engage the same in the area which normally underlies the striking surface, said support having a wall extending beyond the shelf upon one side of the slot, whereby said flap may be bent'to overlie said shelf at an angle to the matches, the area of the shelf being not materially less than the area of the striking surface, and the matches may project beyond the shelf adjacent said wall, and whereby the cover of said matchbook may extend between the matches and said wall, the shelf being thin enough to allow a substantial proportion of the length of the matches to project therebeyond, and means for securing the cover to prevent unwanted displacement of the matchbook, a slot located upon the opposite side of said wall from said match book and extending substantially parallel to the position occupied by the matches when installed in the holder, said slot tapering to decreased thickness farther from its open end.

3. Aholder for a match packet of the character described comprising arlaterally projecting apertured shelf, means for securing a matchbook in a position in which the striker section of the book overlies the shelf, and the matches and cover portions thereof project beyond the opposite side of said shelf, the area upon the opposite side of said shelf being open to afford access to the matches, a hollow, resilient supporting portion at its lower end openin a direction substantially parallel to that in which the matches extend when installed in the holder and adapted to embrace and retain the holder upon a support for box matches, said supporting portion being of sufficient size to permit a portion of the cover of the match book to be folded between said supporting portion and a support for box matches to which it is applied.

CHARLES A. SCHALLIS. 

